Age of Republic - Darth Maul 1

THE SITH EMERGE! DARTH MAUL, a weapon of living fury and bloodlust, has been lurking in Coruscant's shadows, patiently awaiting the opportune moment to strike at the JEDI ORDER! However, having tasted his first kill, the SITH lord is finding it increasingly difficult to control his thirst for destruction and begins to question the intentions of his meticulously calculating master. Could Maul's life have taken a different turn, or was his destiny always intertwined with the dark side? Featuring DARTH SIDIOUS!

Darth Maul, in disguise, descends to the depths of Coruscant where he encounters Zek Peiro, renowned as one of the most skilled thieves available for hire on Coruscant. Zek informs Maul that he doesn't require any assistance. Without revealing his true identity, Maul clarifies that the "Kaitis Cartel" has learned about a security transfer and is determined to acquire the valuable Scarn. As they navigate the underworld to initiate their heist, Zek cautions Maul to be prepared for combat, to which Maul assures him that it won't be an issue. Maul internally reflects that while his master maintains alliances in the higher echelons, he has been establishing his own network in the lower levels, operating discreetly beneath the Jedi's notice, and adopting the name of the Jedi he vanquished. Although he cannot yet openly hunt Jedi, his endeavors have enabled him to identify potential individuals with Force sensitivity, such as Zek. Upon reaching their target location, they encounter an additional group arriving on speeders. Maul immediately intervenes, much to Zek's annoyance, who prefers not to work with "amateurs". Engaging their adversaries, Maul and Zek fight together, swiftly defeating numerous opponents. During the battle, Maul senses the Force emanating from Zek, although his control is unrefined and lacks proper training. After neutralizing all threats, Zek directs his frustration towards Maul, lamenting that they should have waited to locate the Scarn. However, he manages to utilize his limited Force abilities to pinpoint its location. Maul recognizes Zek's potential, pondering that he could have been a Jedi, but instead languishes among the refuse of their capital, just beneath their awareness. When Zek becomes arrogant, boasting about the Kaitis Cartel's potential to become a significant force, Maul abruptly ends his life by telekinetically launching a piece of metal into his chest.

Later, on the surface, Maul is confronted by his master, Darth Sidious, who cautions him that his reckless actions risk attracting the Jedi's attention. Maul attempts to reassure him that his actions were carefully calculated. Sidious questions whether his bloodlust has been satisfied by jeopardizing their carefully laid plans. Maul responds in the negative, stating that he will not find satisfaction until the Jedi Order is reduced to ashes, with them serving as the catalyst. Sidious acknowledges that his hate has made him strong but emphasizes the need to temper it with patience, reminding him that despite his proven combat prowess, he is mistaken if he believes his training is complete.

Subsequently, they journey to Malachor, where Maul recalls the site of a past massacre where the Jedi eradicated the Sith, and the self-inflicted destruction that occurred. Sidious guides Maul across the battlefield, directing his attention to the ashes of their fallen brethren, which hold a final lesson. As Maul inhales the ashes, he experiences a vision. In this vision, a young Zabrak boy approaches him as a Jedi, pleading for assistance against a rampaging Rancor threatening his family. Maul is taken aback, questioning the vision's relevance. Nevertheless, driven by his hunter instincts, he activates his blue double-bladed lightsaber and, through acrobatic Force maneuvers, slays the beast. Afterward, Maul shares a meal with the grateful Zabrak family. When the boy declares that the Jedi are always present when needed, Maul is overcome with rage, knowing that this is not his true identity, and proceeds to decapitate the father and slaughter the rest of the family. As Maul kills the child, he proclaims that the Jedi are merely a fabrication propagated to a desperate galaxy, a lie that he intends to dismantle. Suddenly, Maul finds himself surrounded by numerous Jedi closing in on him. As they engulf him, the vision abruptly ends, and Sidious begins to applaud in the silence of Malachor.

When Sidious inquires about his vision and its lessons, Maul explains that rage fuels the Sith but will not suffice to defeat the Jedi alone, who possess superior numbers and the Republic's faith. Sidious counters that this is only temporary, as they will lose both through meticulous planning. While Maul's emotions enhance his strength, patience may conflict with a Sith's inherent passions. Acting impulsively without a plan will prevent their rise to power. Although he performed admirably against the padawan he killed, his combat skills represent only one aspect of what is required to dismantle the Jedi Order. When Sidious asserts that anger is a tool, not his master, Maul concurs, affirming that Sidious alone is his master.

• UPC 759606091942; December 12 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00111; Cover A; Paolo Rivera 00121; Cover B; Lucasfilm Ltd. 00131; Cover C; Luke Ross, Nolan Woodard 00141; Cover D; Iain McCaig 00161; Cover E; Guru-eFX, Mike McKone

• Even though the Age of Republic comic clearly establishes its setting after the demise of Eldra Kaitis, Star Wars: Timelines erroneously places the events of Age of Republic - Darth Maul 1 prior to those depicted in the primary Darth Maul comic. [3]